The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is not giving up on a virus stimulus deal between the White House and Hill Democrats, who now want to meet with President Trump after he issued executive orders to provide aid. AFBF Executive Vice President, Dale Moore, says they continue to push for a stimulus deal and the $20 billion for agriculture included …
Peanut Vendors Offer Heartfelt Shoutout for America’s Favorite Pastime
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the plans of an entire world, and that includes America’s favorite pastime – baseball. Now that Major League Baseball (MLB) finally has returned, it is without any fans in its ballparks to soak up things like fresh roasted bags of in-shell peanuts. Tyron Spearman has details about a new video that’s been developed to help …
Alabama Cattlemen Working on New Policy Book
A few members of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) were assigned to a committee to develop a new policy book for the Association. ACA Executive Director Erin Beasley says the committee will be editing a draft of the book this week. For more information contact the ACA office in Montgomery. Sponsored ContentUnited Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the …
Alabama Extension Helping Collect Mystery Seed Packages
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to assist in collecting unsolicited seed packages being sent to Alabama residents from China. The packages often indicate that they contain jewelry rather than seeds. ADAI field inspectors are currently collecting these seed packages to test their contents for unknown compounds, …
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020. “For producers producing food …
NRCS Investing Up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced it will be investing up to $360 million in partner-driven conservation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS invites potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding. Dollars will be awarded to locally-driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat …
USDA Announces Changes in Emergency Haying and Grazing Provisions on CRP Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced today changes for emergency haying and grazing of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). This includes changes outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that streamlines the authorization process for farmers and ranchers. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce explains some of the provisions covered. Previously, emergency haying and grazing …
Whiteflies’ Impact to be Felt in Late-Planted Cotton
Cotton growers need to continue to monitor for whiteflies, as the pest is starting to impact fields across the Southeast, according to Alabama Extension cotton entomologist Ron Smith. “I know we’re finding them as far north as Quitman County (Georgia), which is just across from Eufala, Alabama. We know we’ve got them in the Panhandle of Florida, and we know …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 08-07-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended July 31, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 13,300 head compared to 16,713 last week and 16,948 year ago. Compared to one week …
New USDA Survey to Measure Areas for Improvement
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7, 2020 – WASHINGTON, August 7, 2020 –The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners. The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency …